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A passion for hiking Yes it’s true and I simply can’t wait for the weekends to join my new friends and get out in the mountains. I have now been on many trips with the hiking club “CORE” - Calgary Outdoor Recreation Enthusiasts. It’s one thing to drive out into the mountains and say how beautiful they are, but it’s entirely different to be on the mountains, standing up there looking down over the forests, rivers, lakes and over to other mountains and glaciers. One really has to experience it. In early summer the summits are covered in alpine flowers of every color imaginable, in fall, everything is changing color within the forests and in winter it is so beautiful with snow and frozen lakes. |
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It has its dangers of course with the many wild animals in the forests and mountains, but hiking in a group is relatively safe as even grizzlies are not likely to attack a group of people. We always make noise and someone usually carries a bear ‘pepper’ spray as added precaution. Most attacks by bears or cougars are on persons alone and each year several people are injured or killed in this way. |
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In early September, I led my first club hike, to Lake Agnes Teahouse, at 2120m altitude, above the famous Lake Louise. It was not a very long hike, about 8 km, with an elevation of about 390m, but then we hiked further up to a place called Little Beehive, 1 km further, but very steep, from where we had majestic views out across several valleys. I have also been leading hikes out on Wednesday evenings on some of the many hiking trails within the urban parks in Calgary, although now it is too dark in the evenings. During the winter months, the hiking club is doing cross-country skiing and snow shoeing, so I may try my hand with snow shoes. |
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Calgary’s Parkways and Paths Calgary is a paradise for lovers of the outdoors. Within the city limits are over 100 natural areas where people picnic, hike, bike, jog, rollerblade, fish, watch wildlife and cross-country ski, without ever leaving the city. Fish Creek Provincial Park in the south part of the city is Canada’s largest urban park, governed by the provincial government. It covers 2,938 acres, with 46 km (29mi) of trails. Nose Hill Park in the north of the city is the largest city-run natural area in Canada, with 2,785 acres of grassland plateau. Calgary’s pathway system stretches over 330 km (205 mi) through the Bow and Elbow river valleys, through natural areas and in the shadow of downtown office towers. It is used by more than 75,000 people daily (in the summertime) for exercise, recreation, commuting or just to enjoy nature. It can be a problem in the winter, especially when the snow melts and refreezes after a warm Chinook wind. |
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Other recreation Our other activities seem to have increased recently as well. Jesper and I finally got our act together with our tennis and participated in the round robin matches on Tuesday and Friday evenings. That has now finished and the tennis courts are closed for the season. We also go out cycling locally and enjoy it very much. I have also been going to the fitness centre more, mostly cycling there as it is uphill and acts as a good workout. |
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Julia all geared up |
